A spokeswoman for the trust said: "A strategic and long-term solution will need to be agreed within 18 months through a process of engagement and if necessary formal public consultation which will be led by the local clinical commissioning groups.

"The trust has set out in detail the attempts that have been made to ensure the service can be staffed safely and why these attempts have not been successful.

"The decision made by the board was fully informed by clinicians both from the trust and externally who are of the view based on evidence that the changes will deliver a safer service for local women and babies."